With the upsurge in the number of SARS positive patients, the question arises of how to combat the disease. And the answer lies in the Indian system of medicine such as homeopath and Ayurveda.

Talking to this correspondent, Dr. Geeta Parwani, consultant homeopath at Inlaks and Budhrani hospital, Pune states that the best way to fight against the disease is to boost the immune system of the body. She says, "There are some good immune boosters in homeopathy like Biochemic no. 5, Echinacea and Immunoforce."

She recommends such immunity boosters for the people who have the possibility of contracting the disease. Elaborating on the principle of the homeopathy treatment she said homeopathy treats symptoms and not the disease, so for a patient of SARS Nosodes like Pneumococian can be given, which is prescribed on the symptoms of Pneumonia. "With the help of homeopath, diseases like SARS can also be treated, if the treatment is started in time," clarifies Dr. Parwani.

According to Dr. Parwani, there a standard medicine for SARS can be developed., "Like other Nosodes in homeopath for tuberculosis and some other diseases, Nosodes can be developed for SARS, too, if the sputum and the nasal discharge of the SARS patient is properly sterilized and kept under control conditions,'' she said.

Besides homeopathy, the other branch of Indian medicine that can help combat the killer SARS is Ayurveda. Said Dr. Gunwant Oswal, an Ayurvedic practitioner, "with the help of Ayurveda one can increase the immune system of the body and can combat airborne diseases."

But he further added if virus or bacteria are present in large number in the air there are chances of contracting the disease even after developing the immune system of the body.

Dr. Oswal gives the time frame of 3-4 months to develop the immune system of the body. Some immune boosters in ayurveda are trifala churna, pimple, awala kalp, ashwagandha, shatawri, tulsi and chyawanprash. But he also stresses on proper diet and exercise to maintain the immune system of the body to fight against viral and bacterial infections.

Though there is no standard medicine for the SARS but the patient if detected in time, can be treated successfully with the help of Ayurveda.